Hello yet again, here is another special treat for you, an update about me. Spencer, Dave, and I all made it back from Uganda together and all in one piece. I wasn't sure it was going to work out so well, considering I waited until the day we left to approach the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture for an export permit for Spence, but luckily by 2:30 that afternoon with only 8 hours until our departure time, they handed it over. The red tape wasn't too bad, I only had to get a form from the National Agriculture Research Organization, take it over to the Ministry of Agriculture for a bank pay-in slip, take that to the Stanbic Bank in town to pay for the permit, then take the receipt from the bank back to NARO to be handed the permit. All in all it only took from 9am until 2:30pm, so not too shabby for the old UG. After that we headed off to the airport and got checked in ok, told by the Brussels Airlines people that all our bags and Spencer would be checked through to Chicago. Too bad American Airlines didn't agree.

We reached Brussels, worried about whether or not we had to pick up Spencer, but were once again reassured by Brussels Airlines that he would be checked through. We relaxed, and waited until someone showed up at the American Airlines counter so we could go through our security interviews and get our boarding passes for the next flight. By the time we reached the desk where we were to get the passes, it was 8:30, and our flight was boarding at 10:10, and the worker at the desk told us we now had to go through customs to the baggage claim, pick up our dog, then take him up to the outside check in desk and go through the hassle of security yet again. After much running around the baggage claim area, Spencer eventually appeared, and we made our way very quickly up to the check in desk. When we got there they told us the whole point of picking up the dog in between the flights is to walk, feed, and water him, so with about 20 minutes remaining until we had to be through security, I attached his leash and took him out into the 50 degree rainy Belgian morning. The desk workers were very helpful and allowed us the time we needed to take care of Spence while still getting onto our flights on time, and I think they knew Dave and I were a bit stressed out at that point, so I'd like to say thanks to them for helping us out and making the transition a little easier. Then we went through security again, which was about 40 times busier the second time around, but made it to our gate just in time for boarding. Let's just say the layover of 5 hours is not as long as you might think.

We made it to Chicago and that was that. Mom and Dan were waiting for us, and Chicago even has a little fenced in area where dogs can have long and short calls, so Spence got to relieve himself before the five hour drive back to good old Prairie du Chien. So now we're back, and living the American Dream. Well, I guess we'll see about that, I'm only a day in, so I'm still a little confused about where I'm at and what hour of the day I'm supposed to be sleeping, but that should get better, I hope. Anyway, that's about it, and I hope everyone is well, and if anyone in Uganda is reading this, I miss you all already and I hope you'll dedicate a few dances to me at the next PC get together.

peace out for now

Well hello again. Thought the last one was the end didn't you? HA! I fooled you! You are soooo gullible. Ok, gloating aside, I just got back from Egypt this morning, after a, shall we say interesting, trip. The museums, pyramids, tombs, and other historical sights and monuments were absolutely fantastic, and something everyone should see in their lifetimes. The heat, especially in Luxor, is best avoided, although that could be our mistake of going in the summer instead of the winter, although I don't imagine it gets a whole lot cooler at any point during the year. The hassle of the Egyptian men of Luxor is something I will NOT miss, nor would wish upon my worst enemy, so there you have it. A love/hate relationship with a country, something I've never experienced before. There are places I've been that haven't blown my mind, or haven't made me want to return particularly badly, but this was something else entirely. I don't want you to go away thinking I didn't have a good time in Egypt, because I did, but being harassed by at least 30 different men in a 10 meter walk is not an experience I wish to repeat.

So needless to say Casey and I were happy when our vacation ended, because every person in Egypt thinking we were twins didn't help the catcall factor AT ALL. But now she's leaving, saying goodbye to her 2 months in Uganda, and I have a whole 12 hours alone until my brother arrives tonight for his two week vacation. I have a lot planned for us, including toting my dog all over the country and then out of it, and also going to Lake Bunyonyi and my house and going on a safari, so it should be a very busy 2 weeks. But I'm excited, because it will go faster than I realize, and we'll have a ton of fun. And then I'll be coming home, and I know you all are holding your breath with anticipation at my return, but please, be sensible, I don't want you to turn blue and pass out. Continue breathing at a normal rate, and I'll be home before you know it.

Well, this one isn't long, and it'll probably be my last one on the African continent, at least for a few years anyway. So, despite what the title says, I'm not only saying hello to my brother, but goodbye to Uganda, which is of course sad, but I think it's time. Although I have to say I've gained a whole new perspective of and appreciation for Ugandan culture after surviving the deserts of Egypt, I should begin the next chapter of whatever this thing called life is. So, tata for now, and mayhaps I'll keep writing once I start grad school. My summer exploits could also be tales of hilarity, considering how many idiotic mistakes and cultural slip-ups I'm going to make. One of which Casey already reminded me I cannot do once I get home, the eyebrow lift that means yes has to be released from my repertoire of replies giving a positive response to a question. Let's see how many you can spot once I get back.

cheers

Hello again my peoples! I hope all is well, and that the anticipation of my homecoming isn't causing you to lose sleep and concentration at work. I'm currently in Egypt, and am having a wonderful time, if you can't tell from the pictures I've uploaded. Yesterday Casey and I went to the Egyptian National Museum to enjoy all the wonders that place has to offer. We got to see the mummified remains of multiple past Egyptian kings, queens, and pharaohs, along with their mummified pets and other goods they wanted to tote with them to the afterlife. It was pretty cool, and a long day considering how much they have in that place! But we made it, and feel that we have gained a fair bit of knowledge about Egyptian history, although it's a bit patchy considering how few placards were there labeling the pieces.

Today was even better, as we went out to Giza to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. I had an incredible time, despite Casey's complaining, which was unexpected considering I basically forced her onto the back of a camel and then proceeded to make her pay for the long tour on the camel through the pyramids. In the end I think she enjoyed herself, and we got a ton of really great pictures. The place is amazing, although very surreal, I felt like I was on a movie set instead of actually in the desert at the real McCoy. After seeing the monuments, we wandered around the town of Giza and eventually had a glorious lunch at a place where no english existed, and it was a ton of fun. We ended up getting way more than we expected and for a great price, not to mention how delicious it all was. So today has been good, and we haven't even done that much yet! Needless to say I would highly suggest everyone come to Cairo and explore Egypt a bit, it's a ton of fun and not too pricey. Anyway, besides trying to get a job with the Egyptian board of tourism, I've got to take a nap. Riding camels takes a lot out of you.

A little description of the pictures in case you can't tell, in the first one Casey and I have just climbed onto one of the smaller pyramids, which is apparently not allowed. Our guide had to argue with the tourist police for the better part of a half hour and then had to pay a fine. Since we didn't want to go up there in the first place, we didn't feel to badly for him. The second one is pretty self explanatory, being the incredibly mature and wise person that I am, I thought it would be best if I had a picture of myself picking the nose of the Sphinx. The last picture is just of Casey and I upon our dromedaries in front of the largest of the three big pyramids, which she didn't want to get on in the first place. For good reason I might add, hers had a fly problem and mine kept growling and burping at Casey. It even spit it's cud at the guide, I think it had an attitude problem.

cheers

Well, finally, it's official. I am now an RPCV, which stands for Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, despite the fact that I have not yet technically returned. I had my ID card punched and all my forms signed off on, so now I can do whatever I want, including riding Boda Bodas! Whoo hoo! Well I know this is incredibly short and uninformative, but I don't have a whole lot else to say, I have to go and reserve the places for Dave and I for our safar to Murchison Falls park here in Uganda so we can see the big five, and then it's a little R&R at the hotel before Casey and I leave for Egypt on Sunday. So maybe I'll write another one once I've had some awesome experiences going through the pyramids.

Peace

Well everybody, it's about that time again. I'm almost finished. I've got a butt load of crap to do to make sure I can bring Spencer back with me, which is definitely turning into more work than I had planned in the first place, but I'll get er done. I talked to the district veterinary officer today, who seems to think I need a fancy trip to Kampala and a crap ton of shots, even though I've tried telling him the US is not the UK and has far fewer restrictions, but we'll see what can be done. I'll probably end up spending my whole return stipend on getting my freakin dog back home, but I suppose it'll be worth it since the total amount I've spent on him up to this point is about $3.00.

Other than that, I had a banner week. On Tuesday I saved a chameleon from certain death. It was walking along, all nonchalant, in front of the school's office, which any place that puts a chameleon in front of Ugandan eyes is not safe because they consider them armed and dangerous. I picked it up, saving it from a thorough stomping, and everyone about popped a nut screaming at me to put the poisonous evil creature back on the ground where they could take care of it. I held it in my hand, where it remained motionless, and calmly told everyone that it was perfectly safe, not poisonous, and even if it did bite me I would come to no harm. They laughed and let the weirdo mazungu go on with her business. I put it in some very camouflaging foliage up near my house and hoped for the best. I believe it is still safe and sound, because I haven't yet seen a flattened chameleon body anywhere near the area.

Last night my friend Sharon brought over two chickens, headless and featherless but still with their insides and feet, and we proceeded to clean and cut them up so that I could do something fun with them. I decided to give fried chicken a whirl, which I've never done before in my life, and was pleasantly surprised with the results. It was delicious! Who knew that flour, salt, paprika, curry powder, rosemary, and a bit of cooking oil could make something that wonderful? Everyone was impressed with my cooking skills once again, and we made a little going away party of it, with me providing not only the deliciously fried chicken and mashed potatoes, but also the beverages. We even did a little singing and dancing since my ipod battery was dead, and everyone was pleased with the turnout and the amount of food. We finished everything off, and I even bought the right amount of drinks. All in all, it was a really fun little going away party. I'll miss my friends, neighbors, and teachers and sincerely hope we can stay in touch, although I know it's going to be difficult. We'll see what I can do.

cheers

Well, it's official, I've finally made a decision about what to do with myself once I get back from Uganda. I'm going to attend Marquette University in the fall to get a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering in the program of Water Resources Engineering. I have decided this because they offered me the Trinity Fellowship, which pays for my tuition and gives me a monthly living stipend, which is difficult to turn down when you don't have any money :). I'm pretty excited about it now that I've finally picked what I'm doing, and already have an army of people on helping me figure out the next step. Mom and Dan are going to go apartment scouting for me even before I get back, so we'll see what those two pick out, it could be interesting. Although I guess I trust their judgment, so fire away kids. Watch out Milwaukee, because here I come...

Casey arrived about a week and a half ago, and has been enjoying the busy and exciting life offered by the village of Kantare. I think she's gotten about 12 hours or more of sleep every day and finished about 6 books in the time she's been here, but she says she's enjoying it, so I hope she's not lying to me to make me feel better. Her respite is about to end however, she leaves today for Kisiizi Hospital and will begin her work doctoring people on Monday. In the meantime she'll settle into the guest house and enjoy the comforts of hot water showers and a constant supply of internet and electricity again. Not to mention cell phone coverage. She did enjoy getting to know my cows, and even could name a few by site by the time we left the village. The goats however, I have a feeling she'll never miss. I'm not sure if you know this about them but they all sound like children being tortured, and it's not a pretty sound. I apparently can tune it out completely at this point, but for someone new it can be quite distracting and disconcerting. Hopefully she can also learn to tune them out because I'm fairly certain that even Kisiizi has a constant stream of goats going by there, but again I could be wrong.

So, it's nearing the end, and I've got a lot to look forward to still. Next week final exams begin at the school, so only one day left of actual teaching (Monday is a holiday here) then it's time to start grading their finals. I have to enter the grades into the report forms then it's time for me to head off to Kampala to complete all of the paperwork I have to do to close out my service. As soon as that's over, Casey and I head off to the magical land of Egypt, where we plan to ride camels off into the desert and view the pyramids astride the backs of the dromedaries. Should be fun, although I don't think Casey is looking forward to it, considering her last stint riding animals involved some fierce tree gripping to avoid broken legs and a nasty spill into some burning nettles. I've told her the desert doesn't have trees or nettles, but she's still a bit apprehensive. Wish us luck, and hopefully we won't run into any returned mummies or cursed pyramids. Happy Easter everybody!

Peace

Well hello again. I hope this day is finding you all well, and enjoying life. I've been busy showing the trainees who are staying with me around my site and village, and showing them the ropes of life at a secondary school in the middle of nowhere. I think they've been enjoying it, and Spencer has been showing them around the trails and hills near my house, so they are pleased to be escorted by such a fine guide. I recently had my first rat in the house in a long time, it chewed a hole through the bread that I had just bought because silly me, I left it out thinking it would be fine since I hadn't seen a rat in over a month. I think I know the reason for their long disappearance, and will relate the story shortly, but am completely bamboozled by their sudden re-entrance into my life. Oh well, I guess that's how it goes.

So I had been away from site for a few days, probably for some training or other, I can't recall the exact circumstances, but at any rate I was coming home from a short time away, but longer than a weekend. I walked into my house as usual, checking on everything important, opening windows, finding Spencer and putting his collar back on, checking to see if the water was working, and last but not least, checking the rat trap. To my great surprise, it was empty. It was not however still set, something had made the bar spring closed. And I could immediately tell something had at one time been under that bar, but escaped. The reason I could tell is the mess, there was grey fur everywhere, stuck to the bar and piles of it next to the trap. I was confused by this, but figured a rat had been trapped and somehow freed itself. I only figured out how it freed itself after walking into my bathroom and seeing a completely free and lonely front leg of a rat. I put two and two together, as I am a math teacher currently, and realized the rat had chewed it's own arm off to escape the certain death of my broom handle. I removed the discombobulated limb from my bathroom with a plastic bag over my hand and went about my business. Apparently the 3 legged soldier warned all of his friends, because they were afraid to enter my house for a while afterward. Unfortunately the fear has faded, and I've got to think of some new cruel and unusual punishment to keep them away. If you think of anything, please feel free to let me know.

Other than that, life goes on. We saw President Museveni today as he was making a tour of the villages where elections will shortly be held, so I'm away from home for a bit. Not sure exactly when I'll get to return, but by the time I do, I'll have Casey with me! Hopefully Kampala stays secure and no more riots stop me from getting to pick her up from the airport! Anyway, that's all for now, so keep on truckin.

cheers

Well hello again my lovelies. I hope all is well with you, and I suppose it's time for yet another blog. I've been teaching for a couple of weeks now, and getting to know my students. Bright-eyed and straight from primary school, they have a terrible time deciphering what I'm talking about with my crazy American accent, but they're coming around. By the end of the term they'll have it down, and then I'll be going back to America and they'll have to get used to a Ugandan math teacher again! Oh well, I think it'll be good for them. We're beginning midterms this week and we'll see how much of what I've been saying has sunk in when I grade the papers. Could be interesting.

Other than that, my group had our final farewell COS (close of service) party a few weekends ago, and what a time it was. We rented out a place in Old Kampala and had Ethiopian food, which was of course delicious. Some of our number put together a slide show of pictures of the group from our arrival in Philly up to the present. Two years! I can hardly believe it. No tears yet, although I've still got a few months to go, so we'll see when the time comes. And after the slide show the real fun began, and we danced the night away. The Dance Triumverate, (me, Thomas, and Zach, shoutout to you I know you're reading this) showed everybody up with our stellar dance moves. I'm of course the leader of our trio, but that goes without saying considering how good I am at shaking it. Mackenzie, Holly and I even performed our dance to Lady Gaga's Just Dance for a very delighted audience, to rave reviews. All in all, I think the night was very successful, despite being very sad to say goodbye to many people.

On a happier note, two training volunteers are going to come visit me for some instruction, I'm very wise you know, and will stay with me for two weeks learning the ways of the Jedi (and by that I mean secondary education, Megan style). While I feel my tutelage will be a very important part of these new volunteers training, who knows how they'll feel. I guess we'll wait and see, mwahahahahahahahaha

cheers

Well hello again friends. How's life? It's getting better for me, as I have just recovered from some sort of respiratory infection, could have been bronchitis, but whatever it was, it's finally over. Or almost, I'm still hacking up phlegm on occasion, but at least I can speak whole sentences without the interruption of a cough every other word, and my lungs no longer feel like they are already half full of some strange semi-solid/semi-liquid concoction that doesn't allow for breathing. So this lovely little distraction stopped me from teaching the first week my first year students were finally here, and extended my vacation (although not in a pleasant way) by one more week. But I finally got to teach them this week, and it was more enjoyable than I remembered. I think I really just enjoy hearing myself speak, but then most of us do. Maybe I have a future in teaching, although what I'm qualified to teach, I couldn't tell you.

I enjoyed a visit from two volunteers to my house last weekend. It was interesting at times due to the lack of water coming from my tap, but we made it work. We even made hummus and bruschetta for dinner one of the days, and let me tell you I rarely eat that well at my own house, unless I have visitors (for example while Dan my brother visited, I ate risotto, pasta carbonera, and anther delicious dish that I can't remember the Italian name for and enjoyed every minute of his cooking). So now it's back to simple things, like eggs and bread, but what can you do. I might try some beans and rice again, although beans seem to be very difficult for me. I think I've made every possible mistake you can make in trying to cook beans, first I would let them cook too long without adding more water and get a layer of carbon an inch thick cooked onto the bottom of my pan, then I didn't cook them long enough and ate crunchy beans which result in incredible amounts of painful gas, and last I soaked the beans for too long in advance and they got moldy before I even brought them to the stove for cooking. I may have the technique down now, but we'll have to see.

Other than my culinary excapades, not much else is new, besides the fact that I got into graduate school! Whoo hooo! Marquette University accepted me to their Civil and Environmental Engineering/ Water Resources Engineering program, and I have a recommendation for acception to University of California - Berkeley in the Global Health and Environment program. So now it looks like I still have some decisions to make. I haven't heard back yet from UW Madison, but hopefully they'll let me know soon. Ugh, life decisions. Very difficult they are. Anyway, that's all the latest, so peace out for now, and wish me luck with teaching and training. Casey, you'll be here in about 3 weeks, so I hope you are prepared for the intensity of hurricane Megan in Uganda.

Well, it's that time of year again, the start of school. The students are returning slowly slowly, and teaching has begun. The senior ones won't arrive until the 15th of February, which means I have another week to prepare all of my lessons and get the math club (that's right, we're cool here at Kantare, and we're starting a math club, jealous much?) started and ready to compete. I've made my teaching timetable, color-coded it for ease of use, and hung it on my door. Now all I need are minds for molding.

This will be my last term here at Kantare S.S., so I want to make it a good one. I'm going out with a bang. Or the usual end of term exams, but either way you look at it, I'm nearing the end. I've got a lot to do though, lots of paperwork for administration and I've still got to figure out what I'm doing once I get back. I guess I'm just waiting on responses from grad schools, so not much work there for me, but still, the waiting can be tough. And I get to train some of the incoming volunteers, which should be a good time. I think I'm even hosting one for two weeks, maybe more than one, and that could be interesting. I'll let them teach my classes and see how they do.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Sorry this one is short, but I haven't got a whole lot to say, so peace out and keep on truckin.

So we did it, we made it all the way to the coast of Kenya, up to Lamu, and back to my site. It took about 50 hours of busing, but we accomplished our goal. Lamu is an island off the coast of Kenya, and is one of the last Swahili cultures left in the country. The island is somewhat small, and the roads are really more like alley ways, and since they are so small no motorized traffic is allowed on the island. The main form of transportation is the donkey, and everyone has one. They wander about here and there, sometimes carrying goods or a person, but most of the time free of any burdens. It was very interesting to see, and fun to pet them. I didn't get the opportunity to ride one anywhere, which was somewhat of a disappointment, but I'll survive. I did get to swim in the Indian ocean where white sand beaches abound, and that was quite joyful. We even went snorkeling and I got bit by some coral. Or I kicked it not realizing I was too close, but either way you look at it, I was bleeding from the foot and attracting sharks. Except there were no sharks, but I like to add a little excitement to my day. On the snorkeling trip they took us to an island where they grilled fresh lobster and jumbo shrimp and fed us coconut curry and fillet of kingfish, so needless to say we went home hungry:). The Italians who were with us kept giving Dan their halves of lobster, so I think he ended up eating 3 of them. It was kind of like being in paradise.

After that we headed back down to where I live, in the southwestern corner of Uganda, and the exact opposite side of the country from Kenya. We made it though, and I think he enjoyed the time spent there. He got to meet Spencer, who made friends immediately, and also got to meet some of the teachers from my school and a few of the village characters that are around. We walked to Kisiizi hospital to see the falls there, and after all the bus riding, the 3 hour walk was kind of nice. Even if my knees and hips are still sore and I feel like a little old lady from it, it was beautiful and sunny all along the way. And I have the sunburn to prove it.

But Dan is gone now, so it's back to just lonely old me. But I have plenty to do in my remaining four months, including helping train the new batch of secondary education volunteers, which should be fun and interesting. Then Casey arrives to do her rotation at the hospital, and sit around bored out of her gourd at my house while I teach. Then my official ending date is on April 30th, after which Casey and I will head to Egypt, which is going to be AWESOME!!! And Dave arrives on the 11th of May, so I've got plenty to occupy my time until I head back to the land of the free and the home of the brave. I know y'all need my presence in your lives, so until that day, keep on keepin on.

peace

So I'm sure all of you are very concerned, and my brother Dan arrived safe and sound here in Uganda, despite the threat of delays and cancellations all along the way. We've been enjoying the central region of Uganda, and I got to show Dan a bit around Kampala. I've been stuck in my Close of Service Conference in Jinja, but luckily he's had other volunteer siblings to spend some time with, and they even went white water rafting on the Nile yesterday. He survived that too, and came back hale and whole, so no worries for you mom. He loved it, and apparently they flipped their boat on every rapid, so I guess he got his money's worth.

Staying here at the Jinja Nile Resort for 4 days has been tough, but somebody's gotta do it. The rooms are cottage style and have hot water showers which we don't even have to turn on the hot water heater for! It's miraculous. The pool is amazing and I got to see Dan's boat float away down the Nile from the balcony upstairs. I fed the monkeys some chips from my room yesterday, and some of the brave ones even took them right from my hand! The food is incredible, I think I've gained 5 pounds in the past 2 days. Free internet doesn't hurt the charm of the place either. But this is the last of the lap of luxury for awhile, so I should appreciate what I've got while I've got it.

Well, I've got to sign off now because I have to go attend sessions today, but know that I'm starting the preparations for coming home in approximately 4 months, and y'all will see me soon enough. I get to host a secondary education trainee in March, so just know that my knowledge and wisdom will be imparted to the next generation of volunteers in Uganda. I know you were worried that it would leave with me, but how wrong you were to fret! So peace for now, and start those party preparations now.

Yep, it's that time of the year again. Time for snow days, egg nog, long nights by the fire... oh wait, none of those things exist in my Ugandan style Christmas. Oh well, we'll make do, like we did last year. This time I'm going to be spending my holiday at Kabulasoke Primary Teacher's College, where another volunteer in my group works. There's going to be lots of Holiday cheer involved, as well as a Christmas day soccer match, I believe. It should be a good time, and like the good southwesterner I am, I'm bringing the cheese (good midwesterner as well). If nothing else, at least we've got cheese.

I'm a little nervous about leaving my dog for the holidays, despite the fact that he's survived multiple times without me there, including when he was a little guy and much more vulnerable to whatever it is I fear is going to happen to him. But after I attended the Japan vs. America sports extravaganza in Ndegya, I returned to find him not eating and then he slept for two straight days. He's back to his old self now, so don't you worry your pretty little faces, but I don't know what caused the lapse. This morning he shied away from a furry caterpillar, so perhaps that was what happened to him. They might look and seem innocent enough, but the furry caterpillars here will break off their hairs in your skin if you touch them, and it doesn't feel good. They may even be poisonous, I don't know. Spencer really likes hunting crickets, probably because they are the only things he can actually catch, so I fear he may have tried hunting a caterpillar with adverse results. At least he now knows not to do it again.

Other than that, not a whole lot else going on around these parts. Just waiting for my younger brother to arrive here in the UG so I can cart him off to Kenya. That should be a fun vacation, several other volunteers are going to come with us so we will have a good time. Laying on the beach beside the ocean is a good time no matter who you're with, so we really can't go wrong. Let's just hope I remember my sunscreen:). I got burned the other day just sitting outside and playing soccer, on a very overcast day, so fortune is not on my side. I'll just go prepared.

Well, I guess that's enough for now, despite the lapse in entries, there just isn't much to talk about during the breaks from school. I'm off to make some chocolate chip cookies now, so eat your hearts out.

Peace

Ok so I really just like that lyric, I think Neyo is brilliant and should probably get an award for that one. So rap lyrics aside, I should update you on my life. Since the title has nothing to do with the content, which is terrible weather, here you go. It's getting to be the heavy part of the rainy season, and the roads by me are paying a high toll. I could hear from my house last night the bus that goes by me struggling through the mud and muck, and that was around 10pm. It usually goes by at about 8 or 8:30, but the rain was heavy yesterday and apparently it had to be pushed by the passengers for about 5 miles or so because it could not get through it on it's own.

I say pave the roads. I know it's not an incredibly well traveled traffic artery or anything, but there is bus service and plenty of taxis venture down that way, and it would just be safer. Sure, we'd lose some of the bucolic charm the dirt roads provide to the area, but the safety of paved roads in the rainy season and the lack of dust during the dry season would more than make up for the loss in atmosphere. I'm sure it will not happen for many years, however, because we are so far away from the capital and the workings of government, I sometimes think those in charge forget we're here. Oh well, at least they give us a tractor that looks like a giant snow plow (I'm from Wisconsin, after all) to try to rid the roads of the quagmire. When it is in use, it works, but the rains do not care about the travel needs of us villagers, and so whether or not the plow is in use the rains come again and re-muck up the roads.

The vehicles still attempt passage, however and it makes for a hair-raising ride. We fishtailed through it for the couple of miles of boggy road from yesterday's rains, and I did not enjoy my front row seat. I would have preferred to have been located in the 2nd or 3rd row of the taxi, exactly in the middle, pinned between multiple bodies with no view whatsoever of the outside world. It used to make me claustrophobic, now however it makes me feel safe, wedged in with plenty of cushion in case anything happens. Oh well. We made it through with no dire consequences. Let's hope my lucky streak continues.

Peace

Happy Halloween all, and I hope it's a great one. Dave, I hear your costume is quite interesting, I must see pictures. I'm sure you are the bell of the ball. No real Halloween plans here, last night we watched Hocus Pocus and Trick'r'Treat while eating chili and sugar cookies with orange and brown frosting, so it was quite an eventful evening. Oh and I can't forget about the caramel corn with g-nuts, which was very tasty, somewhat like cracker jacks. No costumes this year, could just be because I'm lazy and never looked for one, or there is no celebration to attend, either one. Take your pick.

We just finished midterms the other week and are fast approaching finals, only two weeks left before they begin, and then it's the holiday which will go until the first week in February. I'm excited for this break because Dan will come for a visit, and hopefully we'll do something incredibly fun and interesting, because that's just how we are. Fun and interesting I mean.

I don't have a whole lot else to talk about, I had running water for most of this week, which was very exciting. I got to take a shower and wash my hair, do lots of laundry which skinned my fingers raw, mop my floor, and do lots of dishes. It was all great fun. It's amazing what you look forward to when not much else is happening. I also read three books this week, and enjoyed them immensely. Of course two of them were Harry Potter (2 and 3, I'm starting again, for like the 15th time) but the third was the Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, which was very good and I highly suggest you read it. I'm only trying to improve your literacy, so take my advice and pick it up.

Well, that's all for now, but I'll try to write again soon, and everyone else should write to me as well. I demand it. And Jenni, thanks for the card, cause it was one of 2 that I received, the other one from my mother. But I'm not bitter, so don't worry:)

Peace

Well, it's official, I'm now 26 years old. It's hard to believe, but true. I think that means I'm finally supposed to figure out what I'm doing with my life, but it may take a few more years yet. At least I have a beginning, I have started the applications for grad school, so eventually I may have something figured out. Oh well.

It was an exciting birthday. Kind of. I went to Kampala for the weekend, and everything went fine, I even got a lot of work done for the applications, but the return journey was a little different than what I'm used to. Everything was going fine until we hit the dirt road that goes to my house. I was pretty excited because the bus had made good time up to this point, and I thought I would be home at 7, or just before it gets dark. Well, something always happens when I get cocky and think that things are going to continue to go well for me, and so things obviously had to go wrong.

It's the rainy season, so the roads aren't in the best condition at the moment, and rains were heavy recently. I noticed something was wrong when we were on a slight incline but seemed to be slowing considerably. Eventually we stopped, and this was not a steep part of the road, let me tell you. But we could all feel the tires skidding and losing traction, and knew what the problem was. This particular stretch of road is incredibly prone to landslides and bad conditions, so every able bodied passenger (except for myself because I wasn't exactly sure what everyone was saying) got off the bus to try to help push the thing up the hill. The driver tried to accelerate, and everyone else was pushing, when suddenly the bus fishtailed and the rear end slid towards the edge of the road. This wouldn't be such a bad thing if there was a barrier of some sort, or no 30 foot drop on the other side, but only a small ledge of earth existed between the wheels of the bus and the drop. So the last passenger, an old man, and myself decided it was time to also vacate the bus. We got out, and the bus workers grabbed a hoe from the locals and began to dig out the areas in front of each of the tires and place dry dirt and sand in front of the tires. I stood beside the road watching helplessly, hoping something would go right. I was only 20 km from home, but it was getting dark and I didn't want to make that walk at night with all of my luggage. So I watched on as the bus continued to slide further and further to the edge, but luckily the ledge kept the bus on the road, it being lighter from having no passengers. The people pushing got the thing up the incline, and eventually we all jumped back on, although I was quite alert for the remainder of my ride. A little excitement in an otherwise calm and eventless 8 hour ride.

I got home safe and sound, and am here to tell the story, so no harm done. I probably would have survived if the thing had gone over the edge anyway, since the drop was only like 30 feet. But at least I didn't have to go through that! And sorry mom, for worrying you. Dan told me you were kind of freaking out, it wasn't that big of a deal, I was just worried because I didn't want to walk home in the dark:). I hope they can do something about that part of the road, because even in small cars you fishtail through the entire thing, and the rainy season has barely begun. I could be in for some more hair raising adventures.

Back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad I'm not a fool... so the wise Billy Madison once said. Third term has begun and I'm teaching my senior ones math once again. They always enjoy the beginning of the term because I hand out the candy and prizes for doing well on the exams from the previous term. It's kind of a bribe for my kids to keep liking me and continue to listen when I speak to them. So far its working...

I missed a few days of teaching due to getting stuck in Kampala during the riots over the Kabaka's (King of the Baganda) visit to Kayunga, but otherwise things are going well. I'm getting used to being back in Uganda, and used to teaching again. Not a whole lot is new, I'm still trying to train Spencer to behave properly, and now the new puppy Elf too, and living on a farm is always interesting. We have two new calves and two more on the way, which is always exciting. I also recently removed two little lizards from inhabiting my bathroom and dirty dishes basin. While I do enjoy lizards due to their bug eating habit, I don't enjoy them crawling around my bathroom while I"m bathing (or other bathroom duties) and I don't enjoy running into them while I'm cleaning my dishes. But luckily lizards aren't poisonous and these ones didn't even try to bite me as I removed them with my bare hands (I'm incredibly brave if you didn't know that about me, considering they were less than an inch long).

Again it may be a while before I write another blog, simply because my weekends are now going to be spent trying to apply to graduate school, which could be interesting considering the amount of computer time and internet access I have. Oh well. You'll hear from me again soon.

Peace

Hey everyone,

I'm back in Uganda, safe and sound after 4 hours of car travel, 12 hours of bus travel, and 16 hours of plane travel, not including layovers and just plain waiting around. It was a lovely journey I can tell you, and my ankles won't go back to their normal size for weeks. I'm lucky I didn't get deep vein thrombosis. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but the airline cards in the seat pockets warn you about it, so don't you worry, I did plenty of ankle stretches to prevent it from happening.

That's all I got for now, cause I'm tired and want to sleep, but rest assured that I have returned safely and will get back to saving the world in short order.

cheers

We've all done it. Picked up that last minute candy bar, ice cold soda, trashy gossip magazine at the check-out counter in the supermarket. I love impulse buys. They're fun and always unneccessary. Here in Uganda, specifically Kabale for me, the impulse buys are a little different.

Last time I was at the supermarket, my impulse buy was the delicious looking new brand of peanut butter, which had caramel crunchies embedded throughout the peannutty goodness. It was a successful purchase, although I'll gain about 20 pounds if I buy it any more, because I ate a jar in about 2 days.

The time before that it was the pretzels I saw for the very first time here in this country, and was so excited I couldn't stop myself. I bought 3 bags. I shared them, and they got old because they were flavored which was wierd, and I haven't bought them since, but it was a fun time and I enjoyed the purchase.

The lastest impulse has been different even for my standards. A boy came to the back yard of my and my neighbors house last week with a chicken. I saw the chicken and couldn't help myself, I wanted to buy it. They're only about 10,000/= ($5.00) for a whole live chicken, and let's face it, everyone's got one. I see them in the buses, crowding the overhead luggage compartments. On the floor of the taxi's under the seats, pecking at my feet. Tied to the tops of sedans in packs of 30 or more. Laying out front of stores with their feet tied, they're everywhere (ubiquitous, GRE word, look it up) and I wanted one too. I inquired with my neighbor as to whether or not the chicken the boy was jabbering over was for sale, but alas, no. He had found it wandering around and was looking for it's owner, not trying to sell it.

It's probably a good thing, because I really don't need impulse buys that squawk, eat my dogs food, and shit all over my floor.

Oh the Sese Islands. What a wierd and wonderful little place. It's an island chain in Lake Victoria, and well worth a visit, even if you have to let your comfort bubble be invaded a little bit in order to get there.

It's nothing too different from normal travel around Uganda, the usual hassles are involved; obnoxious conductors, overcrowded taxis that stop every few minutes, hot buses with lots of smelly exhaust, etc. But there are some new and wonderful things to deal with once you reach the shores of Lake Victoria.

The boats that travel like water taxis to all of the islands are large and cannot come all the way to the shore, and are anchored probably 20 to 40 feet away from the waterline. To get to these boats you have to hire a porter, which I didn't really understand until I got there meant a human porter to porter you from the shore to the boat. Oh how I love being carried by Ugandan men, especially since they are quite unafraid to tell you just how heavy you are. But they are strong and reliable, and could even carry my ass along with my backpack, no easy feat I assure you.

So after that embarrassment, I'm finally in the boat with those going as well, and we get to ride about 3 hours to reach our island. It would be a nice and beautiful ride, except you can't see over the sides of the boat, and so stare at the wooden sides of the boat, trying not to think about what would happen if that patch over there started to leak heavily and also avoiding thinking about how sore your butt's going to be after riding on these wooden benches.

But despite all of the problems, the trip was totally worth it (including the 7 hour bus ride to get to Kampala prior to the taxis, etc. to get to the boat). The island was amazing and relaxing, and I enjoyed the 4th of July weekend sitting around a bonfire, so besides the lack of explosive fireworks, it felt rather like home. And then 6 am Sunday morning rolls around, and I have to repeat the entire traveling process again...

Oh well. That's life (in Uganda).

Cheers

But only for a visit, don't worry. I just like those words because they are immortal words spoken by the wise Ozzy Osbourne. Times have changed, and times are strange, etc.

The ticket is bought, the vacation request is approved (I believe) and I'm making my plans. I'm keeping it fairly open, but I know for certain I have to do the following things:

1. Eat good pizza.

2. Have a burrito

3. Eat bread that isn't stale

4. Drive a car

5. Bake something

6. Use fast internet

7. See my dog

8. Drink some GOOD Wisconsin tap beer

9. Oh, and I guess I'll have to put in an appearance with my friends too.

You get the picture. I'm pretty excited, but I hope I don't say too many strange Uganda-isms while I'm there. Just look at me strangely when I say something funny, and preferably make a comment, and I'll get back to normal quickly.

I arrive in Madison the evening of the 14th of August and am leaving the 31st. So get ready, and prepare yourselves. I know you all can't wait to see me.

Peace

Hello Everybody!

I hope all is well in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I just wanted to write a blog since it's been a couple of weeks and to let everyone know that I finally bought a bicycle. I've been debating about it for about a year now, but finally a volunteer near me just decided she wasn't riding her bicycle enough and that she would sell it to me, so I finally did it.

I've been riding around the village a bit, and am learning that while I assumed the roads were not hilly because walking small hills is not difficult, hauling your ass up those same hills on a bike isn't so easy. And then there's the going down the other side part of it. This is incredibly scary for me, because my roads are not what you would call smooth. They are made of packed dirt and have many potholes and rocks all over the place. So cruising down a hill at a speed faster than the cars go is incredibly frightening, although don't any of you worry, I always wear my helmet. It makes me look really good too.

I'm working up my strength on the bike so that hopefully I can ride all the way to Kisiizi Falls (16k) on it to use internet and possibly do some good vegetable shopping. That could take awhile though. I might be able to make it that far by the time Casey gets here in 2010. That would be good though too, because then I can ride my bike to visit her.

Well, that's pretty short, but it's all I got for now. Keep me in your hearts and minds, hopefully picturing me in my lovely bike helmet cruising crazy downhill slopes or puffing on the uphill side. It's a pretty picture, I know.

Nothin but love for ya.

Hey everyone,

Sorry it's been so long since my last blog, but internet is being stubborn in Kabale, and I haven't been able to access it long enough to complete one.  But not I'm in Soroti, which is in eastern Uganda, visiting the other volunteers who are on the completely opposite side of the country from where I live, approximately 18 hours by bus if you wanted to go straight from one to the other.  Uganda is such a small country, but apparently it takes forever to cross it.   

Here is quite different from Kabale, as it is hot and dry and very dusty.  Right now I am the color of the roads because I'm so gross and dirty, but hopefully that will change after I bathe a bit later today.  You never know though, because this dirt is pretty tricky, and can stick with you for days or even weeks.  

I just was in Kampala this week for our midservice conference, which marks one year of our Peace Corps service.  It's an exciting landmark, and now I feel like our group is on the downhill slide of this thing and very soon we'll be finished.  It's crazy, I never thought I would feel like my time here was short, but 2 years goes incredibly fast when ... well I'm not exactly sure why the 2 years is going fast, but I'm reading a lot of books and learning how to sit still and stare at the wall for hours at a time.  Silences being awkward?  Doesn't exist here.  

Anyway, I've been hogging another volunteer's computer for awhile now, and its time to pass it on and share with others.  See mom?  I did learn something from you.

I had an interesting couple of weeks. I was sitting in my living room, minding my own business and reading a book, when my nieghbor called my name. "Megan, come out here and look at this." I didn't know what he wanted, but figured I'd go take a look. I go out behind my house, and there at my back door is a 4 to 6 week old puppy, skeletal from lack of food and covered in 20 or more ticks. "Spencer produced!" was my nieghbor's comment, because this little thing did look somewhat like my current dog. I felt so bad for the skinny little thing and so gave it a can of tuna to perk it up a bit. It then walked into my house, ate Spencer's leftover bones, and laid down in his bed. When Spencer returned from wherever he was, the little thing decided he was going to protect me from the evil giant and began barking and growling at him. This little puppy is the size of Spencer's head, but doesn't lack any gumption, based on his bravado throughout the situation.

I left for Kampala the next day, and decided that if the dog stuck around I would at least feed it and take care of its ticks until I could find it a home, because it seemed that he had adopted me as his human. Besides, his ears stick out and he looks a lot like Yoda, so I had already named him, which we all know is a bad sign. Well, I got back from the weekend in Kampala and he was still there. My neighbor tells me Spencer took to protecting the little bugger from the other big dogs in the area, who have a propensity to kill unattended puppies. So by the time I got back, these two were best friends and Yoda was following Spencer around like his own little Mini-Me. And after over a week of good food and a comfy place to sleep, the little guy is perking up and has even started to lift and wag its tail.

So now I'm pretty sure the neighborhood dogs are talking to each other and telling each other that my place is a good spot for a free meal. I'm guessing that soon I'll be running a dog kennel. I guess I always knew it was only a matter of time before I became a crazy dog lady, I just didn't know it would happen so soon. Luckily I have a taker for this current puppy, and soon I'll just be back to my one dog, which is more than enough.

It finally happened. Spencer's good behavior couldn't last forever, I knew that, but I was waiting for the fall. It is here now. I think Spencer must have reached the teenage rebellious stage, because suddenly I cannot leave him alone inside my house anymore for any length of time. Not only does he jump on my bed, furniture he knows he's not allowed to be on, but he now chews my blanket while there. Granted I probably spilled some food on it at some point, but still, you'd think he could leave the sanctity of my bed in tact.

He also has discovered he has a shoe fetish. At first it was just one of my flip flops I use to walk around behind my house. Then it was a pair of my neighbors shoes that she doesn't wear anymore. But it's gotten a bit ridiculous. He chewed up a pair of shoes that the younger brother of my neighbor wore around while doing house chores, and since those are gone now he has to wear his big sisters high heeled sandals to do the work. Then he chewed one each of two different pairs of my flip flops again. This time, he luckily went for the left foot of one pair and the right foot of the other, so at least I still have one pair; they might be mismatched but who cares? I can still wear them around as long as I don't go out in public with them.

Spencer has always like to chew on my wooden furniture, so there's no surprise that every chair leg and bed post has teeth marks in it. But I just bought a new mat for the floor, and what does he do? Chews the papyrus reed to shreds. At least it was only about 3000/=, which is about $1.50. And I wanted this monster in my house? The joys of dog ownership.

So there are a lot of strange superstitions and cultural norms (at least to me anyway) here in Uganda that I'm not used to. I used to think they were ridiculous, until I found out the reason for one of them recently.

Everyone tells me not to eat while walking. If that were the case in America, I think half the population would starve because we're all so busy running around often the only time we have to eat is when we're moving. Not here though. And every time I asked why you aren't supposed to eat while walking, I got a different answer; it's rude, it's bad for your digestion, you might spill, you'll drop your food, etc. I finally know the real reason.

I was walking along chatting with Scott while eating a meat samosa, which I know is against cultural norms here, but I was hungry. I was gesticulating, of course, and holding the half eaten samosa between us, when I felt something hit me in the head and realized my samosa was no longer in my hand. Then I saw it, the dirty samosa thieving hawk that the samosa vendors always warn me about but I thought was just silly. It flew down, hit both Scott and me in the head with its wings, and stole my breakfast right out of my hand. Evil rotten thing.

Anyway, now I'm keeping my mind open to all the other things that don't exactly make sense to my American sensibilities. After all, we have some pretty strange superstitions as well; don't step on a crack, black cat crosses your path, don't walk under a ladder, dont open your umbrella indoors, etc. Anyway, things make sense, sometimes.

Hey everyone, and sorry these blogs keep getting farther and farther apart. I've had a busy couple of weeks, what with traveling all over southwestern Uganda and seeing the sites with my mom and school starting again, things have been a bit hectic.

I wish I had pictures to post here of the amazing things my mom and I saw, especially the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and all the wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park, but unfortunately internet here is a bit slow for such luxuries. You'll just have to talk to my mom and see if she'll be willing to show you her stuff. I don't think you'll have any problems, she likes showing off:) We got to see the gorillas after a short 2 hour hike, and a slippery 60 degree jungle slope which had to be traversed. It was all worth it, once we met Safari (the silverback) and his family of gorillas. The hike back was even good, even if I got tired first and was the slowest one among us. At least we made it back by afternoon, and didn't have to walk for 7 hours prior to finding the great apes like some horror stories I've heard.

So like I mentioned earlier the new school year has begun, and it is a bit chaotic. New schedules, new classes, new students, new teachers all add up to a hectic start to the new year. But we're getting into the swing of things, and I'm teaching physics to the entire year of senior two students. It's kind of nice sticking to one subject, because then I don't get confused writing two different lectures and trying to mark two different subjects work. I'm hoping to get to do some practicals with my students in the near future, which should be fun. I might even try to do a science fair type deal with the students, and see what they can come up with. There are some pretty creative kids out there.

Well, I hope this has been a sufficient update on my life. Spencer is doing well and sends his greetings to everyone. Thanks Jenni for sending the dog bones! I know he'll love them, and I definitely appreciate the time and effort put into sending me a package (hint hint to all you bad friends out there). Anyway, that's all for now, and happy hunting.

Happy New Year everybody, although I'm a couple of weeks late with that one. Welcome to 2009 as they like to say here in Uganda. Actually I'm in Rwanda right now, waiting patiently for my mom to arrive today, but you get the picture.

I celebrated my New Years in a very PC way, as in I had food poisoning. And again 8 days later. The second episode was much more violent, and I'm not sure if I'm just become more blase about food preparation and what I ingest, or if this is what the new year has in store for me. Oh well. I learned I have some real friends, who make being sick so far from home not so bad. Thanks to Scott for being my errand boy, Jackie for being my nurse and chicken noodle soup maker, Maria for mothering me (and lending me a bed and toilet to vomit into), and Stephen for making sure I made it to my home safely, brought my dog down from the hill, cleaning up my puke bucket and any puddles of regurgitation that may not have made it into the toilet. Not many people would do that for you.

Things are looking up now though, as I have no gastro-intestinal issues at the moment and am going to meet some UW - Madison folk who happen to be in Rwanda on an EWB trip for lunch. It'll be nice to talk to some fellow Wisconsinites as I'm chilling and waiting for mom's plane to arrive. Well, I suppose that's enough for now, but thanks everyone for the comments you've been making. And Nikki, I do enjoy the novelas, so keep them coming. I need updates on your life.

Well Hello everybody, and Happy Holidays!

As you very well know I'm sure, its getting very close to Christmas. Being from Wisconsin, it is difficult for me to understand that it is actually December, since there is no snow, and the temperature is above 80 on most days. The green doesn't help either, even with Christmas lights and signs everywhere. Not to mention people blaring Christmas music out of their radios, but even with all of that, it still feels strange to me. I guess that's a good thing, because if it actually felt like Christmas I might get sad and miss everyone at home that much more. But too bad for you all, I'm doing just fine!

I enjoyed all of the comments and well wishes after my illness blogs and the pictures of Spencer, so keep up with those. I just thought I'd give you all a quick update on what I'm doing for the holidays. I'm heading to a place called Enkoko-Enjiro to celebrate Christmas with some other volunteers. Enkoko-Enjiro actually means "White Chicken" in Luganda, so its a somehow white Christmas, kind of. We're going to cook all of our favorite holiday dishes and sing carols (I'll be the loudest I'm sure, you all know what a beautiful singing voice I have and how everyone longs to hear it above everyone else:) and do a white elephant gift exchange. Should be fun, although of course it's not the same without all of my loving friends and family from home to celebrate with (sigh, tear). Is that enough sap for you? I thought I'd give you a bit, it being Christmas and all.

Well, that's all I have for now, not much is new besides that I'm finally healthy (mostly, might have something intestinal now, I'm about to give a stool sample to the medical team) and am enjoying training Spencer. He loves to play frisbee, and is learning all the important commands, sit, no, down, no, out, no, uh uh, no, and maybe eventually stay and lay down. We'll see. At least he knows no.

Well, this is going to be very short, because I'm tired and need some rest. I have strep throat and an all over staph infection and need to heal, but everyone has been clamoring for pictures of my kaspencer, (small Spencer in Rukiga), so here he is, without further ado.

Well it looks like I've survived everything that happened to me last week, and I'm feeling good about life. My wounded foot is finally draining of pus, and the water is back so I'm rid of the bedbugs (after a heavy dose of insecticide). I've found the best way to make it through is to think of whatever good is coming of the terrible situation. The following are a few of my favorites that I've come up with.

8 days dirty hair: No frizzies or fly-aways. Every strand of hair stays exactly where you placed it, and there's none of those bothersome little hairs tickling your face. It might itch a bit and feel disgustingly greasy, but at least everything stays put.

no water: When the tap runs dry, you might think I'd be upset. Instead I make a game out of using the least amount of water for the most tasks I can think of. I'm getting pretty good at conserving water. I can clean my house, wash my dishes, and bathe myself with 5 liters. I'm very happy about that. Maybe you can beat me, but somehow I doubt it.

large patch of bug bites: The more bites there are centered in one spot, the less you have to scratch. It means less scabs and later less scars. Maybe this seems like a very minor benefit, when you have more than 30 bites it becomes better and better.

3 hour long ride that should take 1 hour: There are many benefits to this one. There are plenty of ways of improving yourself when this happens. First, patience is the obvious one. You work on coping with the frustration of impatience, especially since you don't have a time-frame you're following. You also have plenty of time to sit and contemplate life and your place in it. Not to mention thinking up interesting blogs for your friends and family back home to read. So this one is not only beneficial to me, but also to all of you. You also can work on your personal space issues, since generally 4 or 5 people are squeezed into seats that are meant for 2 or 3.

no pre-prepared meals: I'm learning how to cook just about everything from scratch, which is a good skill to have, I think. Last weekend at our Thanksgiving celebration we had to prepare our turkey from a live bird, which was definitely a new experience for me. Spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, stir-fry, all of the things that used to be my easy meals at home now take time and preparation, but I'm learning how to cook everything from the basic ingredients, which is fun and rewarding.

Well, that's all I have for now, but if I think of any more, I'm sure I'll give them to you in future blogs.

Peace

Oh friends, it's been one of those weeks.

One of the weeks you would associate with Peace Corps life when you think about it. On Monday I noticed a flea bite on my foot was looking pretty scary. It became pretty badly infected by Tuesday, and now I'm on antibiotics to try and heal the sucker. But if that was all, I'd probably count myself lucky.

Later in the day on Monday, I started feeling very tired. I figured Spencer just woke me up too many times during the night to pee, so I didn't think anything of it. Then around about the time I'm going to bathe, I feel achy and very cold. I have a lovely little fever. First one I've had since I was about 7, so of course I think I'm dying. Oh well, I laid in bed for about 20 hours, and the fever and aches went away, along with the nausea and diarrhea that came with it. But if it was only the infection on my foot and 24-hour bug I had, I still might think the week went ok, especially since I seem to be surviving both.

But of course that's not all. As I lay in bed, sick and unaware of the danger, the bedbugs or fleas or whatever the devilish little creatures are that love me so much returned to my life. They chewed me to bits, especially since I was in bed for so long. I have a lovely patch of about 30 bites just below my right butt cheek, and they itch like crazy, which is how I'm going to end up if these little demons don't disappear soon. But seeing as my water is out right now, washing my sheets and clothes isn't an option, so it could be awhile before anything improves. Oh life. and Hydrocortisone cream.

Hi all,

Thought I'd throw in an update on my life. I guess the biggest news is that I got a dog. I named him Spencer, and he is a typical village dog. I'm training him to become an American. It's taking some work, believe me. He is pretty smart though, it took less than a week to potty train him, so I think it can be done. It's a matter of teaching him how to walk on a leash, which most Ugandan's find endlessly amusing. I'll do it though, no matter what kind of humiliation I face walking through the village. He's been vaccinated against rabies and has been neutered, so he's ready for the states.

Teaching continues, and I hope I'm improving. Next week is going to be the last week of classes before finals for the 3rd and final term of the year, and then its 2 months away from school. This is going to be an incredibly quiet time for me, as I will be the only person living at the school. It's a good thing I've got Spencer to keep me company now. And Mom visiting in January, that ought to keep me fairly busy. I've still got to plan the itinerary, but I think it will include Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi to see the gorillas, Rwanda for a bit, my village, and possibly Queen Elizabeth National Park. I'm pretty excited.

I think my life has become incredibly boring, because I have no new stories to tell. Things are going on as is now usual for me, so I forget what would be interesting to tell you all. Oh well, I have no idea if anyone reads this thing anymore anyway. This is pretty short, but I don't have much to say, so I guess I'll stop here. email me if you want to know anything specific. Peace.

Hello all, and sorry it's been so long since my last post. What with the new term starting and everything, I've become a bit busy. I'm teaching more classes this term, and it's been hectic with all the changes the Ministry of Education handed out and then took back. But things are beginning to settle, and I'm getting used to the constant writing of lecture notes and correcting of assignments. My poor physics class is more confused than ever, but what can you do. They try anyway. So now I have another of my famous animal encounters that y'all so love to read about.

I was minding my own business, just reading or doing crosswords or sudoku or something equally enthralling, when I thought I heard someone enter my house through the back door. I'm in the living room, which is in the front of my house, so I called out a very inviting and not at all frightened "Hello?? Anyone there?" no answer. So I continued with my entertainment, and was not at all surprised when a furry, horned, white head poked itself through the door from my bedroom to my living room.

"Wink!!! What are you doing in here?!!" It was Wink, the oldest of the 3 cows born since I've arrived at my school. Her two partners in crime, Danny and Casey, weren't far behind. I didn't waste any time shooing them out the door, and a good thing it was too, because Wink let go a hot torrent of urine, and what volume! just outside the door. Then all three just stood there looking at me, and I could tell they were thinking that I had no reason really to kick them out because they had done absolutely nothing wrong. Silly girls. For whatever reason, my house is incredibly inviting to all of the animals living at my school. I guess I just have to be less friendly. Although the cows are babies, they're still cows, and much bigger than the goats. They definitely were too big for my small house. Bull in a china shop indeed.

Greetings all! I know it's been awhile since my last entry, so I thought I'd update you on my latest happenings. I recently went whitewater rafting on the Nile in Jinja, and let me tell you, it was quite an adventure. I went with some friends, Jessie Ray, Bubba and Unibomber (just a nick-name, but apt, I think). I'll start at the beginning.

Jessie Ray has a water phobia, so she was quite nervous about the whole thing. The rest of us were pretty pumped up, and the day of the event came quickly. Right away 2 South Africans decided we looked normal enough and decided to tag along with us, since there were 6 people to a boat. The day started out ok, beginning with practicing the important things like flipping the raft and getting back in it, as well as following important commands. The flip was frightening, because we were in calm water and everyone fell on top of each other, and Jessie Ray and I came up under the boat. We looked at each other, and we could both see how scared the other was. But then we came to our first rapids, and everything seemed ok. We went over Bujagali Falls, didn't flip, and made it through some other big class 5's, including Silver Back, which was huge and felt more like a mack truck hitting me in the face than water, but after pinballing around the boat and whacking people with my paddle, I stayed in and everything was ok.

I don't know what time it was, but we hit a calm stretch about 3 km long where we could swim and take pee breaks, and also had a light lunch of delicious pineapple and some biscuits. Everyone in my boat must have eaten too much, because the next rapid, called Overtime, was not quite as joyful as all the rest had been. Our guide warned us, again and again, we had to do exactly as he said, because this is the one shallow rapid of the day, and if we flip on this one, someone is going to get seriously injured. Well, we didn't listen. It started bad from the beginning. We got stuck on the rock at the very top, we were supposed to go to the right of this rock, and instead went to the left. We soon flipped the boat, and I remember very little of the next, say 30 seconds or so. I remember grabbing onto my paddle for dear life, and just relaxing. I hit my butt on about 4 big rocks, and pretty hard, but then finally came to some deeper water (this is probably the point where I went over the 12 foot waterfall). I must have had my eyes closed, because next a safety kayaker is screaming at me to grab ahold of his kayak so he can paddle me to safety. He got me to a different raft where someone else yelled at me to let go of my paddle (I have no idea how I held onto it for so long) and then someone pulled me into the boat. I landed in a heap at the bottom, and didn't want to move. The guide from that boat asked me if I was ok, and all I could answer was, "I don't know, I think so, let me check." I was of course fine, since I am writing this blog now. All I suffered was a giant purple/black shades of grey goose-egg on my right cheek. It's slowly going down, though even now it still can be difficult to sit properly.

Bubba had the same fate as me. He was the first one to go over the waterfall, and has a bruised tail bone. Unibomber went over on his stomach, and cut up his arms, but not bad enough to require stitches. The SA woman also bruised her tail bone, and the SA man got scratched up like Unibomber. Only one in our group went unscathed, and that's because she got stuck. Jessie Ray ended up somehow standing still at the top of the waterfall on some rocks. A safety kayaker managed to wedge his kayak into some rocks near the base of the waterfall, climbed up to Jessie Ray and helped her slide on her bum down to a point where she could then jump over the waterfall and into a waiting raft. What an adventure.

After we all survived, without one serious injury like we had been warned would happen, I think we felt pretty invincible. I know I did. After that, I was afraid of no rapid, and asked the guide to go the hardest route on all of them. At the last rapid, where the boats have a 90% chance of flipping, we managed to keep afloat. So on the one rapid of the day where you are absolutely not supposed to flip, we did, and on the one where its pretty certain your going to, we managed to not flip. I supposed its just characteristic of me, I tend to go the opposite way I am told. Oh well. I conquered the Nile River, and its shallow Class-5 rapid, Overtime. Hoo Ahhh!!!!

Well, I've finished teaching my first term here in Uganda, and what a term it was. It was a bumpy ride to say the least. My students have trouble understanding my outrageous American accent, and then the material is also difficult, physics and math are tough subjects. They are trying anyway, and I think they enjoy having a mzungu teacher. They have more to laugh about during class than those who don't have me, and really its just because I'm so strange. But I enjoyed it, and am glad to have a new term to think about and new lessons to plan. Now that I have some decent textbooks, thanks Dianne, and the church for sending them, teaching has become a little easier. Logical flow of material and lack of errors and typos is really quite a relief. I think the students will really benefit from this.

Not much new to say here, I'm finally feeling like I somewhat belong, and am making friends among the teachers. I have fed them stir-fry, and they absolutely love it. I also made them macaroni and cheese, which didn't go over so well, and chicken salad sandwiches, which they loved. Well, not so much the sandwich part, but the chicken salad anyway. I'll have to come up with some more dishes I think they'll like. Anything that isn't matooke can be daunting, but they're learning that American food isn't so bad. I even made fried green tomatoes, which were ok, but not the best. My neighbor enjoyed them. I"ll have to try it again, with greener tomatoes and a different batter. I'm becoming quite the experimenter in the kitchen. I"ll let you know if anything turns out well.

So this is a pretty boring post, but I guess learning about my everyday life might be stimulating to others. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Well, I've had some very interesting conversations as of late. Including immoral sleeping positions, why bicycle riding is bad for your sexual health, and have been told several interesting stories about former student revolts around Uganda. All of these conversations happened in the same day, and what a day it was. I learned alot.

I also had a conversation with a somewhat intoxicated man in Muhanga, the town halfway between my village and Kabale town, about how disturbing certain American's have been to him. He asked me to get a message to George Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Lee, to tell them to go to Muhanga, Uganda immediately to explain to this man exactly why they have been bothering him, or he is planning bodily harm. I said of course I knew these people, and would get the message to them as soon as I could. I was sitting in a stationary car, and since he was promising physical violence, I wanted to placate him. He said he could fire me on the spot, but he wasn't going to. He once again made sure I knew the 'ninjas', and that I was absolutely going to get the message to them, and then staggered away. I was glad he left, but the conversation was stimulating.

Back to the animal front, I now have a cow that is stalking me. She comes to the back door of my house every evening around 5 or 6 and moos loudly. She wants sweet potatoes, but I am currently all out. I suppose it's my own fault for giving them to her in the first place. Now she also comes running whenever she sees me around school, and needless to say its a bit frightening to see a full grown cow galloping towards you. She always stops short, but nonetheless its nerve-wracking. She came to my classroom one day while I was teaching. Now here in Uganda, the teachers move from room to room, and the students stay put. So this took some planning on her part. She stuck her head into the s1 classroom and started mooing loudly at me. The students erupted in laughter, as did I, and I tried to continue my lesson. She wouldn't leave. So I put a problem up on the board, and had a student come up to solve it. Then I tried to push her out of the doorway, but once again, a cow doesn't move so easily. The students laughed even harder. Eventually she got the picture and moved along, but for now I am looking over my shoulder constantly.

There's also a daily goat race at my school. Every day at about 2pm, as I'm resting in the shade after a large lunch, the goats come racing by on their way to eat the banana peels by the canteen. The same goat one for the first 3 days this week, I call him Speedy, but then was overtaken on Thursday and Friday by another. I think I may start taking bets with the other teachers on this daily race. It's entertaining anyway.

A shout out to Scott's mom, he says hi.

Must be because it's Friday the 13th or something. I woke up to yet more bits from some indestructable yet miniscule (and invisible to the naked eye) creature that has invaded my sleeping space, despite airing my mattress, blanket and pillow, spraying all 3 with insecticide, and washing my sheets and pillow case with hot water and an obscene amount of Omo (strong detergent).

Not such a happy start to a lovely work free and sunshiny Friday. So I made a list of songs on my ipod to match my mood, and set about doing my laundry. Then I swept my house, scrubbed my cooktop and toilet, and mopped the place down, including under my food storage box, which wasn't a pretty site (who knew mold could smell like that?).

Then I headed down to the school for lunch and to grade some assignments I gave to my physics students yesterday. After completing that, I didn't quite feel up to making notes to lecture from about Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, so I sat outside the staff room in the sunshine, and enjoyed the weather.

That must have cheered me up a bit, because I decided to return to domestic pursuits. I spent an entire hour... sewing. That's right, you read correctly, sewing. I decided to make a drawstring pouch for scrabble tiles. I don't even own scrabble. And the little bag actually works. It won't last long, the sewing isn't the greatest considering I don't even know how to do any real stitches, but it looks good. I think Uganda is turning me into a housewife. If you could see me now...

But of course the day came full circle. My ipod died and wouldn't recharge, my phone has become irrational about which text messages it will send and receive, and I get to look forward to another night of scratching. But I did successfully handsew a drawstring bag...

Even one cow is too many for any kitchen, even if she's only two years old and not quite fully grown (most of the way there though). I think it must be her youth that makes her so brazen, but she could just be an anomaly among cows. I call her Bananas, because she likes them so much (the same cow who tries to enter the staff room everyday after break tea to clean up the peels). But I suppose I should start from the beginning...

It was a Monday morning, which for me is laundry day. I was patiently performing that mundane task when I heard Bananas coming through the gate into my yard. My neighbor's kitchen is seperate from her house, and attached to some storage room (what was the kitchen for the previous occupant of my house, prior to the additions). I was washing my clothes in front of this mud/thatch hut when Bananas came around the corner, walked right by me and tried to enter the first door, the storage room, but it was blocked and she couldn't force her way through. So she backed up, stuck one big back hoof in one of my basins full of soapy water and, luckily, dirty clothes, and continued to the next door. It was open, and had no obstructions to bar her passage.

I continued with my laundry for a bit, thinking she must get bored of the room after a little while. But, the door had closed behind her and thinking she might panic and bust the place up, I went in to shoo her out. Bananas had other ideas. I walked in to find her munching happily on my neighbors food stores, particularly the matooke (plantains) and potatoes. I tried to stop her, but if you've ever tried to force a cow to do anything with brute force alone, you'll know you're no match for such a large animal (I've never been cow tipping, but I imagine it goes something like this did). I decided the only way to get her out of there and save my neighbors food was to lure her out with her favorite food of all, little yellow bananas.

So I ran into my own kitchen, grabbed the fruit, and began the long and arduous process of luring a 1500 lb hungry animal out of a room full of food. After much convincing, pushing, giving of bananas, throwing lure bananas, and frustrated arguments (all on my party), and after she knocked over the bench and cookstove, I got her turned around and out the door. This I also wish I had captured on film. I bolted the door closed after her, and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Too many cows in the kitchen? Not with this trusty cowpoke around.

This may sound odd to you, but I believe the rat dance is something many PCVs have experienced during their to years, and one I'm becoming very adept at. It goes something like this:

Laying awake at 2am, hoping the noise will go away, knowing it won't, you toss and turn, hoping to make enough noise to scare the evil little creature out of your house. You eventually resort to fists, pummeling the mattress and walls, all to scare something about 1/20th your size.

And still, the rat is fearless, having performed this routine many times, knowing you don't want to leave the safety of your net enshrouded bed, it continues to hop around your kitchen, playing your dishes like drums.

So you lay a bit longer in your bed, gathering the courage to confront the beast. After you can procrastinate no longer, you turn on your lamp/flashlight, carefully leave the sanctity of your net and gingerly put your feet in your houseshoes (praying the rat hasn't taken refuge inside them) and proceed slowly and carefully towards where you last heard the noise (realizing you actually did leave your bed, the little devil is now stealthily silent).

Heart beating loudly with fear, you approach, and here's where the real footwork begins. The rat makes a run at you because you are between it and the exit. You scream and jump high into the air, praying you don't land on the thing and it doesn't dash into your foot again. In it's confusion, or ultimate brilliance, it scampers back for the kitchen, then back at you again, all the hile you're prancing around like an idiot trying not to touch the damn thing. After many little screams and shouts of "get out already!", the rat spies it's exit and runs for the outside, almost always right over the foot you failed to lift out of the way in time. The dance complete for that night, you return to bed and try to get back to sleep.

I finally found rat traps. No more dancing for me.

I have no idea where these chickens came from, but suddenly there are several running aroun. I have high hopes they'll be somebody's lunch soon, or at least that damn rooster.

I thought that crows made a lot of noise when they landed on my tin roof, but they've got nothing on chickens. I first heard the racket while I was bathing (splashing ice cold water on those parts that require daily washing). I quickly dressed to see if my roof was falling into my house. It wasn't, but some chickens had decided that my roof was the place to roost. Whatever, I'm sure I'll get used to their clumsy clawing.

Clawing, clacking, general noise, sure. But not that morning wake-up call. At 4am, I thought for sure the rooster had gotten into my house and was crowing next too my bed. Again, like clockwork, more alarms from the bastard at 4:30. And 5. And 5:30. At 6 i finally became so desperate that I grabbed my mop and started banging it on the ceiling like a crazy person. In pjs, half asleep with my hair flying wildly, and muttering a string of curses under my breath, I'm sure I looked completely deranged. I wish I had a picture of it. But thankfully, the rooster was quiet. Until 6:30.

I have a battle plan for tonight. I'm going to check the roof before I go to bed. If he's up there, I'm throwing rocks. If that doesn't work, I'm going to kill, pluck, and clean him myself, and eat him for lunch tomorrow. I'll get you yet, worthy foe.

Well, I'm sure I've mentioned my 3 little goat friends before, but there has been a new development in our friendship. The other day, during a short afternoon storm, I had my back door open, as usual, and in comes my three little friends to shelter from the storm. I figured they couldn't do much harm, considering my house is made completely of concrete, so I let them stay. They just wanted in out of the rain after all, and they stayed behind the open door and slept in the corner.

Not for long. After the storm was over, and their afternoon nap was taken care of, they decided to explore the premesis a bit. They wandered into the kitchen, didn't find anything interesting there, so continued on to the sitting room. Here they thouroughly enjoyed climbing on the small shelf at the bottom of my coffee table, and generally just walking anywhere they could. What a great new playground! They seemed to tire of this, and soon left out the back door they entered through.

Little did I realize they now thought of my house as their personal stomping grounds. I could hear them playing on the dirt wall behind my house, and watched a little bit through the door and window from my bed when I could see them. They disappeared from view, but I could still hear them stomping around. Soon enough, I heard a stampede, and they came tearing into the house and jumped up on the bed with me. Goats seem to have this wierd need to be at the highest point possible, like they are constantly playing king of the mountain. Well, in my house that point is my bed. So here they are, playing king of the mountain and getting dirty little goat hoof prints all over my blanket. Not only that, but Dodger, the white and black/brown one, decided this might be a good place to relieve herself. I quickly won the king of the mountain battle, and sent them on their way back out the door.

They continued to come tearing in and jump on the bed, and the black one, Artie, decided she was going to test me. Every time I tried to push her off, she would head-butt my hands. I guess that's a true sign of friendship. Silly goats.

Megan

Since I'm near a computer and have access to internet, I thought I'd write another blog. I don't have much new to say, but haven't really given y'all any hint of what getting around Uganda is like on public transportation. So I thought I'd relay some of my favorite encounters so far.

THE BUS FROM KABALE TO KAMPALA

The buses in Uganda are very similar to our greyhound or coach buses, but much older and more used. They tend to have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 3 on the other, and often will load people until even the standing room is gone. While riding from Kabale to Kampala, a 7 hour ride on a good day, I was passing the time by reading a book when the bus pulled over for the 1700th time.

me, "what are we stopping for now?"

Scott, "I think the windshield just shattered. Didn't you hear it? He's kicking out the rest of the glass."

me, "no, are you serious?"

Scott, "yeah, see these shards of glass all over my bag? It's the windshield."

me, "oh. Neat."

Scott, "you might want to put on your sunglasses."

me, "okay."

I'm pretty sure these kinds of conversations are fairly routine on such journies.

MATATU FROM KABALE TOWN TO MY SCHOOL

I arrived at the taxi park at about 1pm for the return journey to my school. I had been told by the headmaster, who had taken me to town that day on business, that the last one would leave by 2. I figured sitting in a matatu for an hour waiting for it to fill would be okay. I should probably tell you that matatus are toyota minibuses that hold 14 passengers, 1 driver, and 1 conductor, who collects money and yells out the window for potential passengers. Often these get filled to an extra 3 to 4 people, but not on this journey. We sat in the taxi park until 3:30, at which time we drove in circles around the town to pick up more people. I thought when we had 4 people in each 3 person row we would finally be able to leave, but I was much mistaken. The taxi filled until there were 25 people, which means 3 in the front with the driver, 6 in the next 3 person row, then 5, followed by another 5 and only 4 in the last. It was the most cramped and ridiculously long time I've ever sat on a matatu. Needless to say I won't take the same one any longer.

FELLOW VOLUNTEERS RIDE FROM KABALE TO MBARARA

This PCV boarded a matatu in Kabale to ride to Mbarara. Her matatu also filled way beyond capacity, up to 21 people (there's supposed to only be 14). She was glad to finally be on the road, but her joy wasn't to last long. Outside of Kabale town her taxi was impounded by the police, and the conductor (who had already taken money from 3 passengers) denied his position. Finally after much questioning by the police, the conductor realized he was found out and made a break for it. He ran from the matatu with a policewoman hot on his heels. He however made it to freedom, disappearing into the bush to never be heard from again.

She was escorted onto a new matatu to be taken to Mbarara, and much to her chagrin, the new matatu also filled itself to 21. This one, however, made it without further incident to Mbarara, and only 5 hours after she had originally planned to be there.

So those are a few of my favorites from riding public transport in Uganda. I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope that you never complain about riding a bus in the States again.

Megan

Wow. It's official, I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer, since Thursday, April 10. I'm currently trying to get myself situated, and my new house in living and working order. I'm having some furniture made, and am currently in the process of trying to make the place clean and homey. We'll see how far I get on that front.

I'm also trying to get to know my new neighborhood, which mainly includes several cows and goats, who I am getting to know very well. Yesterday I met 3 brand new baby goats, and they were lots of fun. I also got to know 4 of the cows that wander past my door every day, which was interesting. Who knew they were so friendly? One of them liked me so much she wouldn't stop licking me, which is gross.

I haven't done any teaching yet, but I have started helping the other teachers to finish their grading, since term just ended for the students yesterday. I have until May 25th to prepare myself for teaching physics to secondary school students, which is a very good thing since I've never done this before. I'm looking forward to getting started on my job here, and also to doing something as new and exciting as teaching. It should be interesting.

The area I'm living in is in the southwest of Uganda, which I may have mentioned before, and is the most beautiful part of the country. Its very hilly, I guess is how I should put it, and the climate is much different than the rest of Uganda, mainly its much colder. I wasn't expecting to need sweatshirts in Africa, but there I go making assumptions again. I'm going to need to buy some warmer clothing, because believe it or not it gets to 40 degrees F sometimes. I also hadn't realized that 2 months was enough time to get used to the heat of central Uganda, but apparently I am now a wimp to the cold. I'm thinking about buying a charcoal stove just to keep my house warmer.

Well, I suppose that's enough for now. I'll post again when I get to the internet next, which could be awhile since the nearest internet cafe to my house is 12 km away. I need to get a bike...

Megan

Hey all,

This is going to be quick because I've only got 3 minutes left here at the internet cafe, but I'll get in as much as I can. I'm in Mbarara on my way back to Kampala from Kabale, the district I now call home, or will after swearing-in in April.

My school is very rural, with cows and goats wandering aimlessly throughout the compound. I was sitting in the teacher's lounge, just after break tea at 11 in the morning, when a cow wonders into the doorway. I'm talking to another teacher.

me: (listening distractedly, then) there's a cow trying to come into the lounge

teacher: yes. He smells the bananas

me: oh.

These things are apparently very normal. I love it. I am a lover of animals, and I now live on my very own free-range farm. I also have a flush western toilet in my house,which I have christened Fred the Fantastic Flusher. He is the new love of my life.

Everything is going wonderfully, and only 2 weeks of training remain. Very soon, I'll be a Peace Corps Volunteer.

That's all,

bye

Hey all!

I know you're dying to hear from me, so I thought I'd sit down and write you a nice long blog since I am in Kampala for a bit. My daily routines have changed so much in the last month, that it's hard for me to remember what is 'normal' and what isn't back home, and what shouldn't be normal to me here. So, I thought I'd give you a narrative of my daily life here in Luweero at training.

Wake up around 6:45 am to the rooster crowing his brains out. Lovely. Push aside the mosquito net and grab my toilette paper, heading for the pit latrine. Next, return the tp, wash hands with sanitizer and grab my toothe brush and paste. Pick up my nalgene which I put boiled drinking water into the night before, and head to the concrete space next to the pit latrine where I brush my teeth. Get dressed and grab some breakfast, which generally consists of avacado, green beans, and cut up spaghetti noodles with some strange but tasty reddish sauce on them. Grab my helmet and bag and jump on my bike to head to the training center.

At the training center, its 4.5 hours in the morning and another session after lunch break. Break is about an hour, and generally I head to the little stand next to the people selling fruits/veggies and grab a rolex. This lovely creation is not a watch mind you but a tortilla with an omelette wrapped in it. The omelette usually has tomatoes and onions, but sometimes even cabbage is included! Its quite the Ugandan delicacy.

Training usually ends at 5pm, and depending on my mood for the day, I'll either play volleyball, pretend like I can do yoga, or head to Travellers, the local watering hole. When finished with any of these activities, I throw my helmet on once again and bike back home. Once home, I put on my lesu (a wrap used to walk to the outdoor shower), grab my bucket and soap (thanks Dode), and grab the jerry cans that have water in them for my 'shower', and get going on my bucket bath. I'm getting really good at it now. After my bath I take tea, which is actually boiled milk with a slight discoloration from the tealeaves that it was boiled with, and wait for dinner. This always has the lovely dish of matooke involved, which is steamed plantains (so mushy and tasteless it's criminal), gnut sauce (peanuts to you), beans, rice, cassava, potatoes, etc. Mostly starches. Occasionally we have meat with the evening meal.

After eating what I can, I take my leave of the family and head for my room, where I do some homework, or more often than not reading, by flashlight and kerosene lamp. When I'm tired enough, I lock the windows, close the curtain, and tuck in the bug net so not rats or other lovely creepy crawlies can snuggle in with me for the night. Then, the process is repeated.

Oh and for those of you were worried, I am getting very good at riding my bike in a skirt. I've only flashed the entire marketplace of Luweero once.

And I"m trying to post some pictures so you can see my experiences so far. Its not easy, but I'lls ee what I can do. For now, here's one of me from this morning in front of the sunrise, with my new haircut.

Hey everyone,

Sorry this took me so long to post, but I haven't had access to a computer in a while. This will be quick, because I'm running out of time here at the internet cafe, but I want y'all to know that I've arrived safely in Uganda, after a brief unscheduled detour in Brussels (our plane was delayed out of JFK and we spent 3 days there waiting for the next flight to Entebbe). I've been here in Uganda now for 2 weeks, and am enjoying myself immensely. I just came back from a visit to a currently serving volunteer, and we went to Jinja and got to explore the city a little bit (it's the headwaters of the Nile). I can't wait to go back to do some white water rafting!

Hopefully I'll get back to write another blog soon, and a longer one, but for now, that's all. Know that I'm doing really well and having a blast.

Megan

Hello everybody. I am just beginning my Peace Corps adventure, and am trying to gather together everything they suggest to bring, and in only one suitcase, which is going to be a challenge. I'm a little nervous, as I leave for Philadelphia in 12 days, and from there on to Uganda. I know this will be an incredibly rewarding experience, but 2 years is a very long time.

This isn't going to be a very long post, because I haven't got much to say yet. I still don't really have a clue what I'll be doing or if I'm qualified to do it, but I know I'll figure it out and do just fine. Right now I'm worried about all the little things, like where to buy food, how to cook without electricity, where to bucket bathe, how to get my luggage from one place to another, etc.

I can't wait to meet the other volunteers who are going to be at my staging event (2 day orientation in Philadelphia prior to departure for Uganda) and in my training group in Uganda. I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well, considering we'll be experiencing something incredibly strange and new for all of us for 2 + months together during training. I'm definitely getting very sad thinking about leaving here, all my friends and family who have been so great in helping me out with getting all the gear I need, sending me off with great parties, and intending to send me care packages while I'm away. I'm very excited to see what all of you send, and you should send me regular old letters as well! I will want to know what y'all are up to. If you want my address in Uganda, please ask my mom, Charlene Bender, for it.

So let me know what you are doing, and I'll keep you posted on this site as much as I can.